Fishing Reports for September 9

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

Between wind and rain storms we have had some terrific days out on the ocean here in Westport. The Salmon are still here and Chinook are still here in good numbers. With the welcomed (!) and much needed rain comes the calling to all Salmon to head for the fresh waters of their home river. There are still a few good weeks remaining before our ocean salmon season closes near the end of September. The good news this past week is that we can now retain non clipped Coho as part of our two salmon bag limit each day. No more having to release Coho that still have their adipose fins. The downside to that is our season may end a little sooner than the last day of September.

This week Salmon have been hanging around just outside the GH buoy and down to the entrance of Willapa Bay. Fish have been in 120 feet of water or less with hook ups coming at all depths. The 4 inch Irish Cream spoon and the 3.5 inch Cookies and Cream tail wagger spoon have been our most productive lures with Herring following in a close 3rd place. Watch your Fish Finder for bait patches, watch for the bird working, to know you are in the right area. The biggest fishing this week was a 33 pound Chinook caught by my deckhand Zack on his family’s boat along with the mid 20 pound Chinook pictured below. Coho are growing daily it seems with Ms. Carrie Cruz’s (Salmon University Seminar Graduate) 13 pound Silver topping the scales. This fish fell for a Silver Horde Cookies and Cream Coho Killer.

Tuna are still in range even after the big winds with most boats having short days with big loads of fish. These fish are still out around the 125.00 line between Grays Canyon and Astoria Canyon. It has become more of a live bait fishery but they can still be caught on the troll.

As Labor Day has passed and the traditional end of summer arrives always remember that there are still things to do at the Ocean. Crabbing has reopened north of the jetties in Westport and the annual Salmon Tales Festival will take place 9/26 and 27th. Come down and meet me and many others and learn about the long history of Salmon fishing here in Westport. I will be talking Salmon fishing and there is Great food and Fun for the family. If you think of yourself and a good Salmon Smoker then enter the contest. Forms are available here or online.

The Albacore tuna fishing has not let up for the past several months here in Westport! Team ARSC has been fishing hard and loading up in zones approximately 35nm Sw of the harbor.

Since last week the tuna have been showing themselves really well on the surface and the bird life has been just incredible. And of course, as we see in September, October, and November, these fish are giant! There’s also been some Bluefin tuna and Yellowtail around and more on the way from down south.

The best fishing gas been in 62-64 degree dirty blue to true blue water. Unbelievable fishing. We are running these trips for another 2 months so there’s still time to make a trip if you can swing it.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Sockeye in Marine Area 5 during the month of September.

Marine Area 6

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Sockeye, and “Good” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 6 during the month of September.

Marine Area 7

Sebie Scrivner with a nice fish on a nice day on the water. Shiny and Chrome!

Now is the time of year in the San Juans when one could come across a 10lb King, a 40lb King, a Coho, a Pink, a Chum, or a skunk. There have been some big Chinook caught recently, from 30-40 plus lbs. They may not be in the cards for everyone, but it’s fun knowing the next bite could be that Donkey Fraser fish. I haven’t got anything over upper 20’s this year, but we’ll take the ‘teener’s all day long. Fun stuff!

Vicki Klein with a King. I’d have to say that’s a good catch right there.

Kevin Klein with a Labor Day fish for the BBQ. Oh, what a lovely day!

Many Fraser River B.C. Kings cut white. A lot of Chinook coming through the San Juan’s right now are of Fraser stock.

This is what you want to see on your sonar/fish finder. The salmon ball the bait up, and you can see the big fish arch underneath. That denotes something big below that bait ball. Get the gear down!

I’ve been having good luck with the Gibb’s Tackle No Banana’s Spoon, and Moon Jelly flasher.

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also submitted by Kevin.

Marine Area 8.1

no report this week

Marine Area 8.2

no report this week

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

“It’s DERBY TIME!” Everyone is getting ready for a chance at $5000 this weekend at the Edmonds Coho Derby. Get your tickets now as they always seem to sell out by Friday.

The Silver Sliders are here with great reports all over Area 9. Ace Hi flies and also hootchies are getting the best results. Troll fast and do the figure 8 to stay on em when you find em . Keep the leader length short at under 30 inches to put the best action behind the green glow flasher.

Marine Area 10

Marine Area 11

The Chinook salmon fishing is dwindling off to a few a day. Blackmouth are starting to be caught at the Clay Banks and Dalco Point mooching 120-160 feet right off the bottom.

Coho and Pinks are being caught in the Colvos Passage (Girl Scout Camp ) are to the Gig Harbor Shore Line in the rips 30-60 feet down trolling flasher and squid/spoon or herring.

Crabbing is closed in Area 11.For more information and the latest report call (253)591-5325.

Pier Peer Tacoma Night

September 19, 2015, 7:30-9pm at Point Defiance Marina.

Online registration at www.metroparkstacoma.org/pierpeer. See and touch marine creatures brought up from the deep by local divers. Learn about the wonders of Puget Sound up close from Tacoma Nature Center Staff/Volunteers and PD marina Staff. Ages 8+ and is $8 per person. Youth require one on one adult chaperone. More information call 253-591-5325. Life Jackets and warm refreshments provided

Monthly Beach Clean Up Volunteers needed

September 19, 2015 from 9 am to 12 noon. Come help us be good stewards of beach and promenade in Point Defiance Park. For more information contact genea@tacomaparks.com or 253-591-5325

Point Defiance Marina Spring Swap Meet

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2015

Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Location: Point Defiance Marina

5412 No. Waterfront Drive

Tacoma, WA 98407

Cost -$15 for a 10X10 booth space/table rental $5.00 (3) Covered Space will be limited…A great way to clear up your lockers or garages with tackle and gear others may really need. No firearms, bullets, tobacco, or alcohol products

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

no report this week

Marine Area 13

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

no report this week

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

The Labor Day weekend has been epic for my son, Matt, and his roommate Kevin. We started the day at the early hour of 9am and ran across the lake to what is named the Whaled Bones – what is just about the only route to get back into the dunes. Picking our way back into the dunes we stopped at a known beaver hut to fish for largemouth. After several casts were unproductive, Matt put on a metal faced jig and flung it towards the hut and immediately scored a very nice largemouth. As he worked it in he saw he had hooked on to about a 50-pound line that was hooked up to this bass . He hand lined it in where we netted a bass that somehow had broken the heavy line. This bass was in the high 5-pound class. We worked our way up to a spot 1/4 mile from the high dune. After several casts, and catching several largemouth, he picked up the lure that had snagged that large bass and tossed it into the brush in front of the hut. Almost immediately water exploded like he had hooked a beaver. After several anxious moments we had a bass of a lifetime in the net and it was a monster measuring 23 1/2″ and weighing in the mid 6-pound class. A fish of a lifetime.

As we worked our way back out of the dunes we stopped at several places and managed to boat and release 46 bass. We changed gear and locations to find some walleye and did we ever! We found a location well offshore and, within a couple of hours, had landed and kept 24 walleye on worm harnesses, ending an epic day.

With the water dropping we went just a short way into the dunes to a location well known. I had 15 bass in no time, including 2 smallmouth close to 5-pounds, and a largemouth that looked like a Florida strain with a very extended stomach. After an epic couple of hours we worked ourselves out of the dunes and again ran to a spot we had fished the previous day. We switched to a lead head jig tipped with a nitecrawler and, again, got three more limits. Another epic day.

On Labor Day we launched by 10:00 a.m. and ran to our walleye spot. We again used worm harnesses working dunes 6-feet down and dropping to 20- feet down. We did have to work harder to get out 24 walleye. The plan we to run back into the dunes for more bass. Running from the east towards the Whale Bones and what I thought was well off shore the boat came to a screeching stop in about 6-inches of water, tossing all 3 of us forward. I killed the motor to see blood streaming from Matts head. The two of us who were unscratched got out of the boat to move it off the shallow where we had grounded. I called my neighbor to round up some help. A party barge came close to assist and we got Matt onto the barge to go get stitched up. In the meantime we were using a paddle to move sand when all of a sudden two boats came out from the beach with experienced help int he form of Dave Messeberg of the Mardon family. With a toe rope to a bass boat with a 250 HP motor and lots of help pushing we were free. What a day, and what will tomorrow bring? With 8 stiches, Matt looks like he has been in a fight.

Report submitted by Tom Pollack. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports is also courtesy of Tom Pollack.

Jody Thomson and his crew aboard the Trophy Hunter with Saturday’s catch of Albacore.

There has been lots of great Salmon action this past week in the Bamfield area. There wasn’t much need to go far from the harbor to get limits of Chinook and a few nice Coho. This time of the year these mature Chinook are mostly taken fishing Anchovy behind a flasher. Thirty to 40-feet deep is the normal depth for these Chinook but this season has seen good catches from 60-80 feet as well.

Bob and Chrissy

This past weekend saw hundreds of anglers competing in the Port Alberni Salmon Festival. The top prize of $15,000 went to Bob Moulton of Langley, BC. Bob was fishing near the harbor Saturday evening when the 40.40 pound Chinook hit his Anchovy at 61 ft deep. After a lengthy battle that nearly straightened his hook, the fish was netted by fishing partner Chrissy. When they arrived at our dock with big smiles, and the big fish, I looked at my watch and said we have to go to the weigh in. Now! It was all ready after 7 pm and a long drive to the scale. After a quick picture we were on our way and made it with minutes to spare.

It seems like there is lots of Chinook action to come yet. As well there should be great Coho fishing through September.

Tuna have taken over the minds of the few local fisherman that target the Albacore. Good weather days are seeing boats heading off shore 40-50 mile for lots of action and a nice grade of fish.

Nine year old Rylan Morrison reeled in a 31 lb spring by himself at the Beechey Head on August 30th.

Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD BUT SLOW ON SOME DAYS in East Sooke. The Trap Shack and the Bedfords were the most productive locations over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 75 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional “tyee” being caught. Twelve year old Peter Tang reeled in a 35.2 lb chinook (weight at Cheanuh Marina) at the Trap Shack on Sept. 4, 2015. It was brought it to our store but was weighted at 34.4 lbs. Peter was using anchovy at 75 feet. Nine year old Rylan Morrison reeled in a 31 lb spring by himself at the Beechey Head on August 30th. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the springs and No Bananas and Halloween Candy were productive teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been popular as well. There are a few pink salmon being caught and you had to work harder for them. The best pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide lines far out in the strait. A few hatchery coho are also starting to show up in the catches. The Glow/Green Stripe hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime, Super Betsey and the Purple Onion have been good.

Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap. The fish were hitting needlefish spoon and squirts. Anglers also caught fish jigging right on the bottom. G-force and Skinny G spoons in No Bananas and Outfitter colours worked just fine. Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive too. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Salmon fishing was GOOD, MOST DAYS, this past week. Springs, more hatchery coho and wild coho and the odd pink were reported by Pedder Bay Marina. Everywhere from William Head to Church Rock produced spring salmon but church Rock was the best spot. Dave Byers landed a 33.7 lb spring at Church this past Friday. Most of the springs caught have been at that 40-75 foot depth zone. Anglers jigging in the bay were also catching springs using the 8 oz and 6 oz Gibbs/Delta Jumbo Anchovy jigging lure. The odd pink salmon is being caught and most of those are coming from deep water south of Whirl Bay. Some hatchery coho are being caught there as well. Anchovy was the most productive bait when trolling for springs with Glow Green and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective Flashers that remain popular include Super Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past midweek. Fish from 30 lbs to almost 70 lbs were weighed at the marina. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. The salmon have been most abundant close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are there in good numbers and they have been hitting Electric Chair hootchies trolled between 60 – 120 feet on the downrigger. Some of the springs are in the high twenties in size. There are still some pinks around, just not too many. Coho are also in the area and we’ve heard of both wild and hatchery fish caught. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out-producing hootchies and the hot patterns for springs now are Orange/Black/White, Purple Haze and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.

Twelve year old Peter Tang reeled in a 35.2 lb chinook (weight at Cheanuh Marina) at the Trap Shack on Sept. 4, 2015.

The salmon fishing was VERY GOOD BUT SLOW ON SOME DAYS this past week. The springs were quite abundant and good catches came from all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were some “tyees” caught as well. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 – 75 ft depths. Hatchery coho are more frequently being caught, usually out in the shipping lanes and in 300+ feet of water. Sockeye and wild coho still have be released. There are some pink salmon still around but there were fewer of them than last week. Anchovies are the number one choice of bait for Sooke anglers. Teaser heads that have been performing well are Chartreuse, Green Glow Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. Coho Killers have been quite effective in catching pinks. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.

Fishing for springs was GOOD BUT SLOWER along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Esquimalt to Trial Island, depending on the tide. That said, Macauley Point was again the area most congested with boats. Constance Bank has been good, especially in the later part of the week. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Chartreuse and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and Glow white. Gibbs Coho Killers, AP needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime and Bon chovy flasher has been very effective recently. The Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective out at the Constance Bank.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week. Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Nitinat, Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain soon to allow fishing in the rivers again.

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Nitinat, Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain soon to allow fishing in the rivers again.

Oregon

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reports that Chinook and hatchery fishing is fair to good with trolling herring or spinners being the most popular techniques to land a fish. Casting spinners has been productive at times in some mid-bay channels. The bay will be open to wild coho retention (1 adult wild coho for the season) on Fridays and Saturdays only, Sept. 18 – Oct. 31.